Author’s name: Jessica Milo
Illustrator’s name: Ramona Kaulitzki
Other book titles: DUMP TRUCK: MADE WITH LOVE, illustrated by Patricia Pessoa, releasing Spring 2028 with Penguin Random House. LUNA DREAMS OF THE MOON, illustrated by Yan Jiang, releasing Fall 2028 with Chronicle Books.
What is your upcoming book title? MY PONY WONDER
Date of release: July 7, 2026
Preorder or Order link: https://bookshop.org/p/books/my-pony-wonder-jessica-milo/ada11ab7e3b36188?ean=9798217031375
Publisher: Random House Studio
Agent: Wendi Gu
Agency: HG Literary
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Social links (Instagram): @jessicamiloauthor
1. What is the premise/pitch for your book?
MY PONY WONDER is a rhyming picture book about a young girl and her pony and their trail ride adventure through the woods! As the pair trots and gallops along, they delight in each new sight, finding comfort in one another during moments of uncertainty, and ultimately, sharing precious time together.
2. What are 5 things you want people to know about your book?
- MY PONY WONDER is my debut picture book!
- The story is inspired by my memories and experiences riding ponies/horses with my big sister throughout my childhood.
- The story is in sparse rhyme, and the rhythm is meant to emulate the sound of clip-clopping horse hooves.
- The story takes place over the course of a day, starting in the morning and ending in the evening at the barn—so it can be a bedtime read, too!
- The book also has SEL elements and shows the main character experiencing anxiety and fear, and her grounding techniques she does with her pony and how they help her find calm.
3. What helpful hints or tips can you offer fellow writers about writing, publishing, and promoting a book?
About writing: try pushing yourself and challenging yourself to write something totally different than what you normally write. Experiment and play! 🙂
About publishing: be kind and gentle to yourself. Know that you are on your journey, and it takes the time it takes. Since it’s a slow industry, always be writing/working on different stories and reading a bunch of new books.
About book promotion: Do only the activities/events/things that you enjoy doing. If there’s something promo-wise that you don’t enjoy, don’t do it! Prioritize your time, energy, and most importantly, your joy!
4. What are 5 fun/quirky facts about yourself as an adult or child?
- I used to try writing with my toes as a kid.
- I wrote poetry in my later elementary years and throughout middle and high school.
- I lived in France for a year and taught English in two primary schools.
- I used to be a preschool teacher. (Best age ever!!!)
- I have hyperphantasia.
5. What did you learn about yourself while on the journey to publishing this book?
That I definitely chose the right path of pursuing a career as a kidlit author and that I want to write children’s books forever! I’ve never been more proud of anything I’ve done in my life. Seeing my debut come out has been a huge highlight, for sure!
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